Blank displacing and elevating control mechanism for stitching machines and the like



April 19, 1949. w. R. PABlcH 2,467,493

BLANK DISPLACING AND ELEVATING CONTROL MECHANISM FOR STITCHING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 13, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 W. R. PABICH April 19, 1949.

BLANK DISPLACING AND ELEVATING CONTROL MECHANISM FOR STITCHING MACHINES AND THE LIKE 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed NOV. ,15, 1944 lllll.

lllll INVENToR. Z//aZLe'r Pa ic/I4 April 19, 1949. w. R. PABlc'H 2,467,493

BLANK DISPLACING AND ELEVATING' CONTROL MECHANISM FOR STITCHING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed Nov. 13, 1944 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. [H0/Z22 T. 170,6 cfa III mms n II I@ I III d I A f IIIII m I I.. I i I IF .I.. 1||\N.."+"\| Wmm rI. I my 4m@ mit W. R. PABICH "April i9, 1949.

' BLANK DISPLACING AND ELEVATING CONTROL MECHANISM Y FOR STITCHING MACHINES AND THE LIKE Filed NOV. 13, 1944` 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR. ya/Zrlw, v

EL? am* Patented Apr. 19, 1949 I BLANK DISPLACING AND ELEVATING CON- TROL MECHANISM FOR STITCHING MA- CHINES AND THE LIKE Waiter R. Pabich, Chicago, Ill.

Application 20 Claims.

The present invention relates generally to stitching, taping or other similar types of machines, but more particularly to a novel. improved andv automatically actuated means for displacing the topmost blank of a pile of blanks being elevated adjacent the machine so that the opera.- tor thereof may readily grasp the uppermost blank preparatory to inserting it into the machine.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved means in connection with an automatically actuated elevator for elevating box blanks or similar material step by step to the feeding level or table of a machine such as a stitching, taping or similar machine in combination with a single means for controlling the elevator and for displacing the uppermost blank or unit so that the uppermost blank may be readily grasped by the operator preparatory to feeding or folding and inserting the same into the machine.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a` novel and improved attachment for a stitching machine or the like in connection with an automatically controlled elevator for elevating a pile of box blanks in successive stages so that each succeeding top box blank is elevated to the level of the table of the stitching mechanism in combination with means for displacing the uppermost box blank so that the operator may readily grasp the displaced blank for folding the same preparatory to inserting it into the stitching machine.

A yet further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improved attachment for a box blank elevating platform of a stitching machine for displacing the topmost box blank and for automatically controlling the elevation of the platfOI'm.

A further object of the invention is to provide a box blank displacing device for box blank elevating mechanism.

These and other objects are accomplished by providing a construction andan arrangement of the various parts in the manner hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Referring to the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a box blank elevator or lift for a stitching machine;

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a similar side elevational view of the same showing my invention embodied therein and showing the relationship or position of the ele- November 13, 1944, Serial No. 563,222

2 vator with respect to certain portions of the stitching machine; I

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary cross sectional view taken on the line 4--4 in Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged top plan view of one of the actuating fingers and level controls;

Fig. 6 is a side elevational View of the nagery control shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a similar side elevational view showing the position one of the fingers assumes to actuate or close the switch for controlling the hydraulic lift;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sidev elevational view of a modified form showing the manner in which the blank displacing fingers are electrically controlled and actuated; and

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a second modification showing stationary means engageabie with the uppermost box blank for displacing it with respect to the other box blanks.

The present invention has for one of its advantages and objects to simplify, expedite and make easy the task of the operator by successively and automatically displacing the uppermost box blank of a pile of box blanks mounted on the elevator platform so as to reduce the operators efforts in accomplishing this function. The box blanks piled in relatively high piles and under pressure have a tendency to stick to one another and require considerable effort on the part of the operator to separate each succeeding box blank from the top'of the pile.

In illustrating one form of my invention I have l shown the same in connection with a fragmentary portion of a conventional wire stitching machine which comprises a stitcher head or frame generally indicated by the reference character I0. Supported by the frame Ill in a manner well understood in the art is a stitcher table II. The stitching machine in this instance is provided with the usual intermittently driven feed rollers I2 and continuously driven kick-out roller I3. Positioned above these rollers and above the table II is a rocker or fulcrum bracket generally indicatedby the reference character I4. J ournaled on one end of the rocker bracket I4 are rollers I5 which are intermittently driven and cooperate with the lower rollers I2 for intermittently feeding the box blanks therebetween. Mounted in the other end of the rocker frame I4 is another set of rollers I6 which are idle rollers and are adapted to cooperate with the continuously driven -feed rollers I3 in discharging or kicking out the box blanks after the stitching operation.

The detailed description of the construction of this intermittently driven box blank feeding mechanism and discharging mechanism may be had by referring to my patent, W. R. Pabich et al. No. 2,317,298, issued April 20, 1943, on Stitching machine.

Also as a n adjunct to my invention hereinafter described is a hydraulic elevator which has a platform for holding and supporting thereon ioldable box blanks arranged in a pile. 'Ihis elevating mechanism includes two L-shaped frame members, generally indicated by the reference character I1. These L-shaped frame mem'- bers are spaced apart from one another and are connected together by connecting frame member or channel Il. Secured to the inner side of each of the vertical portions of the L-shaped frame members I1 are roller channels Il. Reciprocally mounted in the channel member I! is an eievating platform generally indicated by the reference character 2l. vThe platform 2l comprises two horizontally spaced apart channel frame members 2i which have their opposite ends secured to L-shaped frame members 22. Secured to each of the vertical portions of the L-shaped members 22 are vertically aligned and horizontally spaced apart rollers 2l which are journaled on studs uwhich in turn are secured to the frame members 22. These rollers are adapted to be guided in the vertical channel members "Il of the main frame i1 during the elevation or lowering of the platform, in the manner hereinafter described. Journaled in the opposite channel members 2i of the platform 2l are a plurality of horizontally spaced apart journaled rollers 25. `Mounted on the rollers 25 are a pile of box or carton blanks generally indicated by the reference character 26. The rollers 25 permit the pile as a whole to move thereover for aligning the box blanks with the table ii of the stitching machine.

Associated with and adapted to intermittently lift or elevate the platform is a hydraulic mech anism which includes a horizontally positioned hydraulic cylinder 26' which has its opposite ends fastened to vertical depending hangers 25' and 33, which in turn are secured tothe channel member I8. Extending from the inner end of the cylinder are two vertically spaced and horizontally positioned guide bars 21 which, in turn, have their outer ends fastened to a depending hanger 21' which. in turn, is secured to the channel il. Reciprocally mounted on the cylinder 26' is a piston 2B. Journaled on the outer end of the piston are two pulleys 29, only one of which is shown. 'Ihe piston 28 is operatively connected to a pair of cable connections to the elevating platform 20. These connections comprise two separate cables l0 and 3| which have one of each of their ends connected as shown at I2 to the plate 33 mounted on the inner end of the cylinder 26'. These cables are trained about pulleys 29 from where they extend to and are trained about pulleys 34 journaled on a shaft 35 carried by the frame member i8. 'I'he cable 30 extends from one of these pulleys 34 about a pulley 36 journaled on a bracket 31 secured to the frame member i8. The cable 30 extends from this pulley upwardly and is trained about another pulley 38 journaled on a stud l! carried on the upper end of one of the roller channels i9. The cable extends from this pulley and has its other end connected to the vertical portion of the L-shaped platform frame member 22 as shown at 40. The cable 3| extends from one of the pulleys Il upwardly and is trained about a pulley ll iournaled on a stud adjacent the upper end of the roller channel Il. l'rom this pulleythe otherend ofthecable 2| isconneeted totheotherendoftheelevatlngplatformas shown at l2.

Fromtheabovedescriptionitwillbereadily seenthatasthepistonisactuatedtotheleft asviewedinliarlofthedrawingsby thepressure on the cylinder 2l', the platform 2l will be elevated.

The hydraulic mechanism also includes a pump housing Il which is mounted on the main frame member il and contains therein a hydraulic pump (not shown). Leading from the upper end of the pump housingisapipe lineuwhichis connected to one end of the cylinder 2l', as shown at 45, for forcing into the cylinder 2V the liquid under pressure. Connected to the same end of the cylinder is a second pipe line or linuid return 45 which is connectedto the lower end of the pump housing I3 as shown at l1'. Connected inthelinellisacontrolvalvebymeansof which the pressure in the cylinder 25 may be released by permitting the liquid therein to be returned through the pipe line 40 to the pump housing Il. This valve l1 is opened and closed by a valve lever ll which has its free end connected by a connecting rod or bar I0. The upper end of thebarinturnisconnectedtoacrank which in turn, is secured to one end oi' a rocker shaft 5i. This shaft li is iournaled in suitable bearings in the upper ends of the roller channels 4 I9. The rocker shaft is actuated by a handle 52 secured to the shaft 5I. Obviously by actuating the handle 52,'the valve 41 may be actuated to open the same for lowering the platform when it is necessary to reload the elevator platform.

The hydraulic elevator construction thus far described is a more or less conventional type of hydraulic lift and per se forms no part of the present invention except in combination with my improved means for automatically displacing the box blanks one at a time from the top of the pile of box blanks together with means for controlling the step by step elevation of the platform as each successive blank from the top of the pile is removed in order to maintain the top of the pile of the box blanks on a level with the table of the stitching machine. This mechanism includes a transverse reciprocable bar 53 located at a level slightly below the table il of the stitching machine. (See Figs. 3 and 4.) Secured adjacent the outer ends of this bar are inverted T-shaped slide members 54 which are slidably or reciprocally mounted in complementary recessed brackets 55 which in turn are secured to the inner surfaces of the vertical portions of each of the L-shaped members i1. Adjustably secured to the bar 53 at suitable intervals are blank displacing fingers, generally indicated by the reference characters l5 and 56. These fingers are adjustably secured in spaced apart transverse recesses 51 by bolts' 58 located in the slotted openings I3 for permitting the adjustment of the fingers with respect to the bar 53. (See Figs. 5, 6 and '1.) Each of these n- .gers comprise two parts 8l and Il. The iingers 6i are pivotally connected by means of pins 62 between the bifurcated portions 63 of each of the members il so that the members 5i may swing with respect to the members 6l from the position shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings to the position shown in Fig. 7. Located on one side of each of the fingers li is a threaded apertured ear 64 in which is mounted an adjustable bolt 65, the `inner end of which is adapted to contact one of the bifurcated portions 63 as shown at 66 for limiting the downward movement of the finger 6I .with .respect to the finger portion lill.v The outer ends of each of the lingers have reduced or stepportions as shown at 61 and 86 so as to reduce the thickness of the outermost..

ends of each of the fingers to approximately the thickness of one box blank. Secured on the top surfaces of each of the outer ends oi' the fingers 6I is a forwardly tapered guide or feeler member 69 which is adapted to rest on the upper surface of the uppermost box blank to gauge the level on the top of the pile and hold the finger in position preparatory to displacing the upper box blank so that easy access to the box blank may be had by the operator. The finger also performs the function of controlling the switch for electrically energizing the magnetic pump valve when the finger is displaced downwardly to the position shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings so as to place the hydraulic lift into operation to raise the elevating frame in successive stages each time a box blank isl withdrawn from the top of the pile of blanks in the manner hereinafter described. All of these fingers 56 are identical in form except one centrally located finger, as shown at 56', in Figs. 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings. This particular finger 56 is provided with an electrical switch 10 supported on thc bottom side of one of the members 80. The switch 10 is provided with a spring pressed depressible member 1I which is adapted to be ac-4 tuated inwardly to close the circuit by an adjustable bolt 12, which in turn is mounted in threaded engagement with a threaded apertured ear 13 secured to the inner end 14 of the pivoted finger 6l. The bolt 12 is locked in various positions of adjustment by a lock nut 15. The switch 10 isvconnected by electrical wires 16 to a magnetic pump valve 11 which is mounted on the pump housing 43. (See Figs. 3 and 8 of the drawings.)

From the above description it will be obvious that the topmost box blank is displaced on the top of the pile 26 when the fingers 56 and 66 are actuated forwardly by the mechanical movement of one of the stitching machine parts hereinafter described. When the displaced top box blank is withdrawn by the operator from under the feeler 69 the pivoted members 6I of each of the lingers 56 and 56 will swing downwardly about its pivot 62 from the position shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings to the position shown in Fig. 7 of the drawings, at which time the bolt 12 of the finger 58' will depress the switch member 1I to close the circuit. The closing of the switch energizes the magnetic valve 11 to release the hydraulic pressure of the pump housing 43 to actuate the hydraulicpiston 28 to thereby intermittently raise the platform as each successive top blank is withdrawn. This construction obviously automatically maintains the top of the pile in a level with the stitcher table Il. As the elevating platform 20 and box blank pile are lifted, the pivoted linger 56 is actuated upwardly from the position-shown in Fig. 7 to the position shown in Fig. 6, to thereby break the contact in the switch member 10 until the next succeeding blank is withdrawn from the top of the pile. In other words, as each successive top box blank is withdrawn from the top of the pile, the electrical control is employed to control the hydraulic mechanism in successive steps to maintain the 6" top of the pile at approximately the level of the stitcher table.

The mechanical actuated mechanism for displacing the topmost box blank from the pile of box blanks 26 can besynchronized with any suitable operating part of the stitching machine, but for the purpose of illustration, I have shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, the box blanks displacing flngers as being actuated by the rocker frame of the intermittently driven feed roller. This box blank displacing mechanism in this illustration includes a rock shaft 'I8 having its opposite ends mounted in bearing brackets 19 secured to the side frame members I1. Rigidly secured adjacent the opposite ends of the shaft 18 are upwardly extending crank arms 80. The upper ends of the crank arms 80 are operatively connected by means of links 8| to downwardly projecting ears 82 secured to the undersurface of the reciprocating bar 53. Secured adjacent one end of the shaft 18 is a horizontally projecting crank 83 which has its free end pivotally connected to a downwardly projecting link 84. The lower end of the link 84 is pivotally connected to the free end of a crank 85. The crank 86 is secured to a rock shaft 86 which in turn is journaled in a bearing 81 secured to one of the side frame' members I1. Also secured to the rock shaft 86 is a second crank 88. The free end of the crank 88 is pivotally connected to an upwardly and angularly projecting link 89. The upper end of the link 88 is pivotally connected to a crank 90. The crank 80 is rigidly connected to a shaft 9i which in turn is secured to and rocks with the rocker frame I4 of the intermittently actuated feed rolls I5 in the manner clearly disclosed in my aforementioned patent.

As described in my yaforementioned patent, the operation of the rocker frame I4 is synchronized with the stitching mechanism in a manner well understood in the art. When the frame I4 is rocked to bring the idle rollers I6 into contact with the continuously rotating rollers I3, the stitched box blank is gripped therebetween and ejected from the stitcher. After the box blank has been ejected, the rocker frame I4 assumes the position shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings with the rollers I5 and I2 engaging the next succeeding box blank to successively move the box blank step by step to place the stitches in the box blank. By this rocking action of the frame I4 and shaft 9|, it will be observed that the link 88 is actuated upwardly, to thereby actuate the link 84 upwardly, which in turn, imparts a rearward movement to the cranks 80 so as to actuate the bar 53 and fingers 6I rearwardly to displace v the topmost blank in the manner clearly shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings. When the displaced top box blank is withdrawn from beneath the feeler member 69 by the operator and the rollers I6 and I3 have concluded theejection of the stitched box blank, the connections hereinbefore described are then actuated to withdraw the fingers forwardly. During this forward motion of the fingers, the projecting pointed ends B9 of the fingers will slide oi the displaced end of the top blank to rest on and engage the next succeeding box blank. At the same time the member 6I of the finger 56 will be actuated downwardly about its pivot to close the switch and energize the magnetic valve 11. The opening of the valve 11 in turn places the hydraulic lifting mechanism into operation to raise the elevator platform so that the next succeeding box 7 "A blank is in alignment with the table level of the stitching machine.

This arrangement and construction therefore y automatically displaces the successive uppermost top blank so that the same can be easily grasped by the operator for folding the same preparatory to stitching it in the stitching .machine and at the same time the fingers perform the second function of maintaining the top`-.of the box blank pile in level with the table Il of the stitching machine by controlling the step by step elevation of the platform.

In Fig. 8 of the drawings I have shown a modiflcation of my invention in which the fingers for displacing the uppermost box blank from the top of the pile are operated electrically as distinguished from mechanically and the control of the actuation of the fingers is accomplished by the insertion of a box blank on the table il of the stitching machine. The hydraulic lift, the elevator and other parts shown in this modified 4form which are identical with those in the other views are identified by the same reference characters. The electrically controlled and electrically actuated mechanism for displacing each successive topmost box blank automatically includes a switch 92 mounted on the underside of and adjacent the forward end of the table Il of the stitching machine. Projecting through an aperture in the table il is a depressible switch member 93 which projects from the switch I2 and is adapted to be depressed for closing the circuit by engagement with an inserted box blank 94 as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 8 of the drawings. Connected to the switch 92 in a manner well understood in the art are two connecting or circuit wires $5. These wires, in turn, are connected to a solenoid 86 mounted on one side of one of the main frame members il. Mounted in the solenoid 96 is the usual reciprocable member 01 which is provided with an enlarged lower head 98. The head 98 is provided with a horizontal slot 99 in `which is slidably mounted a pin ill. The pin is secured to the free end of a crank Ill, which in turn is secured to the rock shaft I8. An extension spring |02 is connected at one end to an ear |03 secured to the bracket 55. The other end of the spring is connected to one of the cranks l0 as shown at IM. This spring normally actuates the bar 5I and fingers 56 toward the table il.

From the above description it will be readily seen that as the rst box blank is placed on the table il of the stitching machine it will engage and depress the switch member 93 so as to close the electrical circuit 95 to thereby energize the Asolenoid 9| to lift the solenoid member 91. This member 91 will in turn actuate the link u upwardly through the cranks I3 and 80. and connecting link Il in turn will actuate the bar 5I together with the fingers 56 in a direction to displace the topmost box blank. After the box blank ll is moved from the depressible switch member 93, the circuit will be broken and the extension spring |02 will return the reciprocating bar and associated fingers 56 and 56' to the position shown in Fig. 8 of the drawings preparatory to actuating the next succeeding top box blank. In this connection it will also be observed that this electrically controlled and electrically actuated mechanism for displacing the top box blank is also capable of functioning with the finger control shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7 of the drawings. In other words, the hydraulic mechanism and controls therefor hereinbefore described can be employed with electrically actuated box blank displacing mechanism with the same equal emciency as with the mechanically actuated mechanism shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings.

In Fig. 9 of the drawings I have shown a second modification of my invention for displacing or offsetting several box blanks adjacent the top of a pile of box blanks by the elevation of the pile on the platform. This construction also. permits sumcient displacement of the topmost box blank so that the operator may easily grasp the blank for inserting the same into a stitching machine. In this form of the invention, two stationary displacing members, generally indicated by the reference character III, are secured to the inside surfaces of each of the two vertical portions of the L-shapedmain frame members I1 and each includes a horizontal and inwardly projecting arm i. Secured to each of the arms I" are inclined box blank guiding members Ill which are arranged approximately 60 to the horizontal, so that when the pile of box blanks 2l reach a point adjacent the level of the table Il of the stitching machine, the blanks adjacent the top engage these inclined members |01 so as to displace them in a direction towards the operator. This permits the topmost blank to be readily grasped by the operator preparatory to insertingit into the stitching machine.

summarizing the advantages and novel features of operation of my improved box blank elevator control and box blank displacing mechanism, it will be readily seen that the means employed to displace the topmost box blank from the top of the pile f box blanks may be either mechanically actuated and synchronized with any suitable movable parts on the stitching machine or may be electrically actuated and controlled by the insertion of a box blank into the stitching machine. At the same time, this box blank displacing means may be employed to perform the function of controlling and maintaining the level of the top of the pile or the topmost box blank in a plane parallel with the table of the stitching machines. This automatic control of the hydraulic actuated elevator can be employed in ,connection with the automatically and mechanically actuated box blank displacing mechanism or with the electrically actuated box blank displacing mechanism. This novel construction of automatically displacing the topmost blank not only reduces the fatigue of the operator occasioned by the necessity of separating the topmost blank from the next succeeding one, but also increases the emciency and production of the machine as a whole. 4

While in -the above specication I have described one preferred embodiment and modifications which my invention may assume in practice, it will of course be understood that other modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the following claims.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The combination with a machine, a box blank elevator positioned adjacent said machine for elevating box blanks mounted thereon, power means for raising said elevator, and common means engageable with the topmost blank and operatively related to said power means for shifting said topmost blank and for controlling said power means. p

2. 'Ihe combination with a machine, a box blank elevator positioned adjacent `said machine for elevating box blanks mounted thereon, power means for raising said elevator, and a member pivoted on said machine engageable with the topmost blank and operatively related to said power v means for -shifting said topmost blank and for controlling said power means.

3. The combination with afmachine, a box blank elevator positioned adjacent said machine for elevating box blanks mounted thereon, power means for raising said elevator.' and a reciprccable and pivotal member carried by said machine and engageable with the topmost blank for shifting the topmost blank laterally, said member being operatively connected to said power means for controlling the operation thereof.

4. The combination with a machine, a box blank elevating platform positioned adjacent said machine for elevating a pile of box blanks mounted thereon, power means for elevating said platform, a reciprocal finger mounted on said machine, a member pivoted on said finger and engageable with the top surface and one edge of the topmost box blank for shifting said blank laterally, and operative connections between said member and said power means for controlling the raising of said platform.

5. The combination with a machine, a box elevating platform positioned adjacent thereto for supporting and elevating box blanks mounted on said platform, means for elevating said platform, and means engageable with one edge of the topmost blank for sliding the topmost blank on the surface of the next adjacent blank, said last named means being operatively related to said elevating means for controlling the operation of said platform.

6. The combination with a machine, a box blank elevating platform positioned adjacent said machine for elevating a plurality of uniformly piled box blanks thereon, means for elevating said platform, means located in the path of one edge of said blanks for sliding the topmost blank on the surface of the next adjacent blank, and means carried by said last named means for controlling the elevation of said platform.

7. The combination with a machine, a box blank elevating platform positioned adjacent said machine for elevating a pile of box blanks mounted thereon, power means for elevating said platform, a reciprocal nger mounted on said machine, a member pivoted on said finger and engageable with the top surface and one edge of the topmost box blank for shifting said blank laterally, and electrically operative connections between said member and said power means for controlling the raising of said platform.

8. The combination with a machine, a box blank elevating platform positioned adjacent said machine for elevating a pile of box blanks mounted thereon, power means for elevating said platform, a reciprocal finger mounted on said machine, a member pivoted on said finger and engageable with the top surface and one edge of the topmost box blank for shifting said blank laterally, and an electrical circuit operatively connected with said power means and rendered operative by the pivotal movement of said member for controlling the intermittent raising of said platform.

9. The combination with a machine, a box blank elevating platform for supporting and elevating a plurality of uniformly piled box I blanks thereon, means for elevating said platl0 of certain of said box blanks for laterally sliding said topmost box blank with respect to the next adjacent blank and for controlling said elevating means.

10. The combination with a machine, a box blank elevating platform positioned adjacent said machine for supporting and elevating a plurality of uniformly piled box blanks thereon, a frame for supporting said platform, mounted on said frame for lifting said platform, and common means carried by said frame and engageable with the inner edge of the topmost box blank on said pile for .controlling said power means and for sliding laterally said topmost box blank on the next adjacent blank.

11. The combination with a machine having a table, a box blank elevating platform positioned adjacent said table for supporting and elevating a plurality of uniformly piled box blanks thereon, a frame for supporting said platform, power means mounted on said frame for lifting said platform, means carried by said frame and engageable with the edge of'the topmost box blank on said pile for controlling said power means, and means responsive to the insertion of a box blank in said machine and operatively related directly to said second named means for displacing the topmost box blank on the next adjacent blank.

12. The combination having a table, a box blank elevating platform positioned adjacent said table for supporting and elevating a plurality of uniformly piled box blanks thereon, a frame for supporting said platform, power means mounted on said frame for elevating said platform, means carried by said frame and engageable with the topmost box blank on said pile for controlling said power means, and electrically actuated means operatively connected to said second named means and responsive to the insertion of a box blank into said machine to slide the topmost box blank on the next adjacent blank.

13. The combination of a machine having a table, a frame positioned adjacent said table, an elevating platform mounted on said frame for supporting and elevating a plurality of box blanks thereon, power actuated means for lifting said elevator platform, an electric switch means carried by said frame and engageable with the topmost box blank for controlling said rst named means, and electrically actuated means operatively related to said second named means for displacing the topmost box blank with respect to the other blanks.

14. The combination with a machine having a table, a frame positioned adjacent said table,

` an elevating platform mounted on said frame for supporting and elevating a plurality of box blanks thereon, power actuated means for lifting said platform, means carried by said frame for controlling said power actuated means, an electrically actuated means operatively related to said last named means and engageable with the inner edge of the topmost box blank for sliding the topmost box blank laterally on and with respect to the next adjacent blank.

15. The combination with a machine having a table, a frame positioned adjacent said table, an elevating platform mounted on said frame for supporting and elevating a plurality of box blanks thereon, power actuated means for lifting said elevator platform, common actuated means carried by said frame and engageable with\the topmost box blank forcontrolling said power acpower means 11 tuated means and for sliding laterally the topmost blank on the next adjacent blank.`

16. The combination with a machine having a table, a frame positioned adjacent said table, an Yelevating platform mounted on said frame for supporting and elevating a plurality of box blanks thereon, power actuated means for lifting said elevator platform, an oscillatable and reciprocable member carried by said frame and engageable with the topmost box blank, means operatively related to said member and responsive to the level of the topmost box blank for controlling said power actuated means, a step portion formed on said member and engageable with the edge of the topmost blank, and means for actuating said member for sliding the topmost box blank on the surface of the next adjacent blank.

17. The combination with a machine having a table, a frame positioned adjacent said table, an elevating platform mounted on said frame for supporting and elevating a plurality of box blanks thereon, power actuated means for lifting said elevating platform, an oscillatable and. reclprocable finger carried by said frame and engageable with the top surface and one Nedge of the topmost box blank, and means operatively related to said finger and responsive tothe top- 4most box blank for controlling said power actuated means, and means for electrically actuating said nnger for sliding laterally the tomnost box blank on the surface of the next adjacent blank.

18. 'Ihe combination with a machine having a table, a frame positioned adjacent said table, an elevating platform mounted on said frame for supporting and elevating a plurality ofgbox blanks thereon. power actuated means for liftingsaid elevating platform, a pivoted and reciprocable finger having a lug carried by said frame and engageable with the iop surface and one edge of the topmost box blank, means operatively related to said finger and responsive to `the level of the topmost box blank for controlling said power actuating means, and operative connections between said linger and one of the moving parts of said machine to actuate said nger for sliding the topmost box blank on the surface of the next adjacent blank.

19. The combination with a machine having a table. a rocker frame mounted on said machine, box blank feeding rolls mounted on said rocker frame, an elevator frame positioned adjacent said table, an elevator platform mounted on said elevator frame for supporting and elevating thereon a plurality of box blanks, a hydraulic li'ft mechanism mounted on said elevator frame for lifting said platform, a reciprocable member carried by said elevator frame, a finger pivoted on said member and engageable with the top surface and one edge of the topmost box blank, means operatively related to. said finger and responsixe to the -level of the topmost box blank for controlling said hydraulic lift mechanism, and means for operatively connecting said rocker frame to said member for actuating the same to slide the topmostbox blank on the surface of the next adjacent block.

20. The combination with a machine having a table, a rocker frame mounted on said machine, box blank feeding rolls mounted on said rocker frame, an elevator frame positioned adjacent said table, an elevator platform mounted on said elevator frame for supporting and elevating thereon a plurality of box blanks, a hydraulic lift mechanism mounted on said elevator frame for lifting said platform, a reciprocable member carried by said elevator frame, a finger pivoted to said member and ensageable with the surface and the edge of the topmost box blank, means operatively related to said member and responsive to the level of the topmost box blank for controlling said hydraulic lift mechanism, and means including a series of cranks and connections between said member and said rocker frame for actuating said nger to slide the topmost box blank laterally on the surface of the next adjacent blank.

-WALTER R. PABICH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 21,591 Bullock Sept. 21, 1858 636,769 Dexter -1---- Nov. 14, 1899 658,705 Dexter Sept. 25, 1900 894,850 French Mar. 4, 1902 942,296 Tucker Dec. 7, 1909 1,106,435 Yaw Aug. 11, 1914 Y 1,107,795 Jagenberg Aug. 18, 1914 1,154,237 Dixon Sept. 21, 1915 1,174,739 Langston Mar. 7, 1916 1,352,308 Murray Sept. 7, 1920 1,375,042 Feddersen et al. Apr. 19, 1921 1,695,233 Fink Dec. 11, 1928 1,748,572 Johnson et a1. Feb. 25, 1930 1,770,483 Federwits et al. July 15, 1930 1,805,246 Johnson et al May 12, 1931 1,886,282 Low Nov. 1, 1932 1,924,908 Broadmeyer Aug. 29, 1933 2,016,711 Ford Oct. 8, 1935 2,150,124 vMinkow Mar. 7, 1939 2,350,511 Lake et al June 6, 1944 2,362,853 Spiller et al -Nov. 14, 1944 2,372,229 Sinkovitz Mar. 27, 1945 2,377,230 Hatred May 29, 1945 2,381,743

Harred Aug. 7, 1945 

